PASADENA, Calif. (December 1, 2016) – Tournament of Roses Executive Vice President and Chair of the Executive Search Committee, Lance Tibbet announced the hire of David Eads as the new Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Currently, Eads is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and will be officially joining the Tournament of Roses team in February, 2017.

Eads has held senior executive roles at the LA Chamber since 2000, and reports directly to CEO Gary L. Toebben. Currently he oversees Finance & Budget Management, Corporate Relations, Membership, Communications, Special Events, and the Chamber Foundation. He manages 12 direct reports, 70 staff members, and an annual budget of $15M for one of the largest chambers in the country.

Retiring William B. Flinn, the Association’s current Executive Director/CEO, has been a part of the Tournament of Roses for 36 years. “Bill has been an invaluable asset to the Association and Community. His years of dedication and knowledge have established and reinforced countless relationships and will be an indelible part of our organization,” said Tibbet.

Eads has attended every Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game since 2000 when he moved to Los Angeles from Wichita, Kansas, where he grew up. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of the Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau for ten years and developed the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. Eads also brought the live CBS national broadcasts of the “Miss USA” and “Miss Teen USA” Pageants to Wichita from 1990 to 1995 and consulted annually thereafter with the international host committee for Miss Universe Organization that produces the live Fox television broadcast.

Eads earned his MBA and BA in Business Administration and Marketing at Wichita State University, and is certified as a Chamber Executive by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives based in Washington, D.C.

This national search was managed by Berkhemer Clayton Retained Executive Search in Los Angeles, with a five-member team led by Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, president and co-founder.

“We are confident that David, due to his many talents and attributes, coupled with outstanding leadership qualities, will be a tremendous asset to the Tournament of Roses organization and will be a great fit with our volunteer-driven, staff-supported Association.” added Tibbet, “We are pleased to welcome David to the Tournament family.”